Radio tube



Aug. 18, 19361 E, Q HANDSCHUG- 2,051,169

RADIO TUBE Filed Jan. 25, 1955 l N Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT f 2,051,169 RADIO TUBE Earl c. Hanoschug, st. Louis, Mo. Application Januaryzs, V1935, serial-No. 3,063- I E 'z claims. (01.'250-275) This invention relates to an improvement in radio tubes and the like.

The object of this invention is to provide simple and effective means for identifying a new tube, the means being such that, while permitting the tube to be tested, it must be removed before the tube can be used in a socket for which it is adapted.

Fig. 1 is a side view of a tube embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view;

Fig. 3 is a side View of another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is an end view of the modification shown in Fig. 3.

In the embodiment shown in the attached drawing the identification comprises a post or pin which is integrally attached to the tube by a slender section of material. The arrangement is such that if the pin is bent the connecting portion of metal will break. The identifying pin or post is so arranged as to permit testing of the tube in a properly constructed apparatus, but such as to prevent the insertion of the tube in a regular socket for which itis intended. As'

shown in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 the identifying pin may be an extension of a contact prong or, as shown in the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, it may be a separate device secured in the base of the tube.

The essential features of the invention are pointed out in the appended claims, and the following detail description of the structure shown in the accompanying drawing will assist in understanding the invention.

A bulb I of a radio tube, or the like, is carried on and secured in a base 2. The filament and appurtenant parts within the bulb, and which are not shown in the drawing, are connected in a conventional manner to a plurality of contact prongs 3, four of which are shown.

In the. embodiment sho-wn in Figs. 1 and 2, one of these prongs has an elongated portion 4 connected by a reduced portion of metal 5. Thus the contacts are all exposed and the tube may be tested but the prongs cannot be inserted in a socket adapted to receive the tube until the portion 4 has been removed by breaking the metal at the space shown at 5.

When the portion 4 has been broken it will indicate a used tube, and thus the projecting element will identify a new device.

The projecting portion 4 may be in line with the prongs 3 to which it is attached, or it may be bent sdewise, as shown in the drawing. It is preferable to lbend it sidewse becauseV in` such case the extended portion 4 will readily break olf if an attemptis'made to insert the tube ina socket. l -1 In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4^, the 5 identifying pin orpost comprises a separate -element 6 rigidly secured in the base 2 and has 'an extended portion l connected with the other portions by a reduced section 8. The element mayk not be made of metal but may be made of any 10' selected material since it has no function to perform except that of identification. It thus differs from the embodiment shown in Figs. l and 2, because in that embodiment the element 4 as well as the post 3 to which it is attached must be conductive and thus of metallic material.

The element 6 may be` extended downwardly from the base, as shown, or it may be otherwise positioned where the extended portion l will interfere Ywith an appropriate socket, depending 20 upon the type of tube and type of socket used. 'Ihe extension 1 may be in line with the remaining portion of the element or it may be angular thereto, as explained in connection with the other embodiment.

The reduced sections 5 and 8 in the respective Y embodiments are such that they may be. broken by manual 'manipulation of the extendedV or identifying portions.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that applicant has provided a device which is simple in construction, and which will serve to identify a new tube. This mustbe true because the identifying portion must be broken off 35 in order to insert the tube in a socket for which it is adapted.

I claim:

1. In combination with a tube having a base adapted to cooperate with a socket for connection with an electrical circuit, a member rigidly secured to saidbase and having'a projection integral therewith, so arranged as to prevent the insertion of the base in cooperative relationship with said socket While such projection is attached and to permit such insertion after the projection is removed, such projection being Vconnected with the remaining portion of the member by a reduced portion of the material of which it is constructed to facilitateV the projection being broken oif at the reduced portion.

2. In combination with a tube having a base adapted to cooperate with a socket for connection with an electrical circuit, a member rigidly securedto said base and having a projection inl' 'Y Vtegral VthereurithfVSOVV arranged as to pevent'the insertion Yof the base in cooperative relationship manualmanipulation of 'theV projection; Y o n Y 3. In combination with a tube having a base `and ia pluralityrof metallic contact prongs rigidly secured to therbase, a projectionon one of the f prongs integral therewith and connected thereto by Ya reduced portion, constructed and arrangedV Ywherebysuch projection while attached prevents o the insertion of said prongs in socketsfor which theyaare adapted jandV permits suchv vinsertion il when the projection is broken oil at thereduced L portion.' 'Y

Incombination `with a tubefvhavingfa gbase Y and; af. plurality` `of metallic contact prongs rigidly ,secured to. 'the ibase',Y 'a` projection lonzon'e ff Y '2`5'nof the prongs integral therewith YandY connected thereto Yloy a reduced portion Vdisposed angnlarly to such prong;` andlvconstructedrand a.rran.:ed

whereby such projection while? attached prevents ,Y Hthe insertion of said prongs in socketsnior which Yf'they are adapted andi-permits ksuoli insertion ,fa,o;'s'1,1c9Y Y i Y Y Y V'When such projection is'broken'oii' at the reduced Y portion. Y

V5.7In combination with` a Atube having a. base Yand a rigid metallic contact jmernber securedV toY l Y the'base and adapted to cooperate in VandwithV V5 a socket for electrical connectioma projection y on said contact member positioned toV prevent `the insertion afl-said rn'er'nber insuch socket and integrally connected with said member by are- Y duced portion of the metal soV constructedjand l0Y Y' arranged to permit theprojeotion Vbeingfbroken Y manipulation. Y

off readily at the reduced,'portionbygmanual V6. In a device ofthe Vkind'described'inducing a base having'a'plug adapted torbe'received in a. 15 'socket' toY make electrical contact,AV a irangiblef projection secured to the -base and preventing theY Vplug from entering the socket, said elementopre-V venting use ofthe device in the socket until it 2 is broken off.

Y 17.1Ina devicegof the kind described includingVVK l a'base having a plug adaptedto be received in a socket vto lrnake'electrical contact, ay removable projectionrsecuredyto theiba'se and preventing the plug'from enteringzthe socket until removecLthe 25 projection not interfering withthe electrical confv ductivity of *the/plug,'wherebyv the device-may be'Y tested' While the projection is onV the base.

VVEARL C. HANDSCHU,Gef` n' 

